The Draft National Water Framework Bill, 2013, seeks welcome policy focus for India's stressed water economy, generally characterised by poor governance, inadequate infrastructure and scanty public services. The draft law proposes an explicit system of rights to water — for domestic use, irrigation, industries, etc — and a transparent, participative approach to develop and manage both river basins and groundwater levels. Such an approach makes eminent sense, as reform in the water sector must necessarily be a consultative, consensual process, rather than a mechanical exercise, given the sheer volume of resources, financial and otherwise, required over the medium term and well beyond.

We need to put in place clear entitlements, regulatory and pricing practices to sustainably and equitably augment water availability nationally. The fact is that we are heavily and excessively reliant on groundwater, in over 50% of irrigated area, for example. And, already, our overall water balances are precarious, with about 15% of all aquifers in a critical condition. The draft Bill does call for "community-based institutions" to arrest over-drawal of groundwater. It specifies a Water Regulatory Authority in every state, along with new mechanism design to avoid inter-state water disputes.

But the fact remains that for decades we have neglected investment in and maintenance of surface water distribution and storage. India has a high seasonal rainfall pattern, yet our water storage capacity amounts to only about 30 days of rainfall, a fraction of that in developed economies. Hence the vital need for water harvesting and check dams. In parallel, we need stepped-up investment in flood control, sewage disposal and water treatment. A sound legal framework will help.